Polls closed Tuesday in Georgia and South Dakota, where voters headed to the polls for a special election and a gubernatorial runoff that could signal party dynamics.
In Georgia's 13th Congressional District, voters decided who would finish the term of the late Rep. David Scott, who died in April at age 80. The heavily blue district, which includes southern and eastern Atlanta suburbs, will likely remain Democratic in the November general election. Georgia state Rep. Jasmine Clark secured the Democratic nomination for the full term earlier this year and is favored to win in November against Republican Air Force veteran Jonathan Chavez. In 2024, Donald Trump lost the district by approximately 43 points.
Efforts to replace Scott gained momentum among the Democratic Party's progressive wing, with some expressing frustration with the 12-term lawmaker's tenure. Candidates challenging Scott's legacy included his daughter, who aimed to continue his work and ensure district projects were completed, and former Mississippi judge Carlos Moore, who criticized Scott for not being present enough. Everton Blair, another contender, cited an encounter at a town hall where he felt Scott provided insufficient answers as motivation for his bid.
Across the country in South Dakota, Republicans participated in the state's first gubernatorial runoff. Incumbent Gov. Larry Rhoden faced challenger Toby Doeden, a bitcoin investor. Rhoden assumed the governorship after former Gov. Kristi Noem was appointed Homeland Security secretary in a second Trump term. Rhoden did not secure enough votes in the June primary to win the nomination outright.
The South Dakota race was seen as a contest between establishment politics and an outsider candidate. While Rhoden was considered the favorite, Doeden hoped for an upset, with Minnehaha County, home to Sioux Falls, being a key area to watch after it contributed to Doeden's primary performance. Pennington County in the western part of the state was also closely monitored. South Dakota has not elected a Democratic governor since the 1970s.
Both the Georgia special election and the South Dakota runoff determine individuals who will serve until January. The outcome of these races comes as former President Donald Trump's influence within the Republican Party continues to be a focal point in various political contests.